After being illegally detained for five months, Joshua Jafet Zambrano Hernández, son of the mayor of the municipality of Ojocaliente, was released early Thursday morning by security forces in the municipality of Villanueva, on the border with Jalisco.
The 23-year-old was reported missing on June 9 in the municipality of Ojocaliente, where his father, Juan Manuel Zambrano Jiménez, a member of the PRD party, is mayor.
The Secretary General of the Government of Zacatecas, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, confirmed the rescue of Joshua Zambrano, who, he said, “is in good health and with his family,” referring to his parents.
The release occurred around 5:00 a.m., when, during an operation between the communities of El Molino and El Jagüey, in the municipality of Villanueva, agents of the National Guard, the Mexican Army, the State Police, and the Attorney General’s Office were attacked by armed civilians.
In repelling the armed attack, officers killed a civilian wearing tactical gear and carrying a rifle and loaded magazines, while other assailants fled, reported Security Secretary Arturo Medina Mayoral.
He explained that, upon securing the area, they rescued a person who requested assistance during the operation. This individual was immediately taken into protective custody and transported for medical attention due to dehydration.
The state’s Attorney General, Cristian Paul Camacho Osnaya, announced that the rescued person was identified as Joshua Jafet, who confirmed that he had been kidnapped and held captive by his captors.
Authorities reported that in the Villanueva region, bordering Jalisco, security forces were maintaining operations by land and air to locate and apprehend the remaining assailants.
Source: proceso
